There are various internal hive feeders on the market today, from wood blocks to plastic frame feeders designed to replace brood frames.
Bees often utilize a cap and ladder system to access syrup, creating difficulty when cleaning out, leading to potential comb buildup.
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Entrance Feeder
These feeders, typically found at the entrance to Langstroth or Warre hives (though they can also be used with Top Bar hives), make it simple and quick to monitor when syrup levels run low and refill it, although their exposed nature means they may spoil more quickly in cold weather conditions.
Frame feeders (sometimes referred to as division board feeders) are specially-shaped feeders made for beehives that fit inside their space, such as deep or medium. Once in, these are easily accessed by bees but can cause robbing; many come equipped with clever solutions like floats that prevent drowning while remaining heavy enough to collect dead bees.
The Boardman Entrance Feeder is an excellent solution for beekeepers looking for a traditional Mason jar style feeder at their entrance to their hive. Refills can be done easily and features a perforated lid to stop robber bees from accessing any syrup being stored inside it.
Frame Feeder
There are different kinds of frame feeders. Some are black plastic troughs that sit within the hive like frames; others use frames with ladders inside, providing access to syrup. Both options have their own advantages and disadvantages – for instance troughs make inserting and refilling syrup easy; they also allow easy monitoring of usage levels by beekeepers, yet allow robbers easy entry.
Division board feeders provide an advanced alternative to regular frame feeders. Similar in appearance to their traditional counterparts, but placed inside an exclusive division board box to allow access all year round for bees, they minimize robbery while making it very hard for bees to build burr comb in them.
Hive top feeders are another type of internal beehive feeder. These containers hang upside-down from the inner cover entrance hole, holding back large quantities of syrup for reduced robbery while being bulky and messy; they may dislodge during high winds though.
Bottom Feeder
An internal hive feeder is essential if you wish to feed your bees over winter or introduce new packages of bees into a hive, as without it they must leave their home and search for food themselves, potentially leaving themselves vulnerable against predators or environmental elements.
Boardman or frame feeders consist of a large jar with an attached feeding tray that easily slides into the hive entrance for bee access. Easy to refill, they also make monitoring syrup levels more straightforward from outside of the hive.
Their location outside the hive makes them more inviting to robbing bees; to reduce risk, use with an inner cover is recommended and more costly than pail feeder configuration.
Entrance Filler
This feeder sits atop 10 frame hive frames and can hold up to 1 gallon of syrup. Additionally, it comes equipped with a mite count board so you can monitor mite levels within your colony.
Filters make it simple and straightforward to keep track of the level of syrup, while refilling can be accomplished easily. Entrance reducers are also available to lower the amount of cold air entering the hive while feeding, helping prevent robbing by keeping them out.
Many beekeepers have used mason jars at some point or another to feed their bees, as it’s a straightforward, cost-effective and simple method. Unfortunately, it can also be dangerous as bees can drown in syrup if done incorrectly; night feeding is best to reduce any chance of them choking on it and overdosing on additional syrup amounts than can be consumed quickly by bees.
